Yes! They are celebrities in every right, gracing magazine covers, appearing on Television screens and strutting the red carpets of popular high profile events. They are made popular by their involvement in music, movie, fashion and the list goes on. However, while some of their colleagues are busy fêting with luxury cars and acquiring fashion items and property to show off, these business savvy and dogged stars are following the path of entrepreneurship. In no particular order, here are top ten Nigerian showbiz stars who are also entrepreneurs.
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| psquare |
PSquare
Twin pop sensation, Peter and Paul Okoye, popularly known as PSquare, are without doubt a force to be reckoned with in terms of their investment.
The duo has invested in so many areas and has assets running into billions of naira.
They own Rayfield Hotel, in Jos, Plateau State, and two multi million Naira factories in Jos, where they built set up a bakery and sachet water company for their parents.
PSquare’s notable investments include a multi-million Naira home in San Francisco, USA, which cost an estimated sum of N434m in 2013, a private jet acquired in 2012, a house in Lagos worth N400m, and many other landed properties in Jos and Port Harcourt.
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Dbanj
Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, aka DBanj, is another dogged entrepreneur who has tried his hands on some other businesses aside music, which has fetched him cool cash. DBanj owns KoKo Water, Koko Mobile (launched in 2010 in partnership with First Bank and the now defunct Mo’Hits Records) and Koko Lounge in Lagos and the UK. He recently launched Koko Gari and has disclosed that plans are underway for the launch of Koko Mattress and Koko Condoms.
Apart from his investments, Dbanj makes money from endorsement deals, record sales and concerts. He has a multimillion Naira deal with Chris Aire and UAC Foods. That is in addition to his endorsement deal with Globacom Telecommunications, which earned him N70m.
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don-jazzy
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Don Jazzy
Micheal Ajere, otherwise known as Don Jazzy, is another celebrity that has a brain for business. Sources have it that the Marvin Record boss has ventured into oil and gas business with his brother.
The brothers, sources have it, set up Marvin Energy, Oil and Gas Company and a 24-hour door-to-door diesel delivery service that supplies and retails petroleum products and offers services in construction of diesel storage tanks and leasing of trucks.
The Don also rakes in dollars from Loya Milk and MTN endorsements.
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Genevieve Nnaji
This Nollywood actress is one that never quits. In 2008, Genevieve Nnaji launched a clothing line called St. Genevieve, which later hit the rocks. She also tried singing at one time, but that too was not a successful venture. However, the star actress has indicated interest in staging a comeback into the fashion business.
A very dependable source close to the actress revealed that Nnaji has perfected all necessary arrangements to restart the business in a big way.
She was even spotted some months ago at the office of Kinabuti Fashion in Lagos with whom she is thinking of partnering in order to re-launch her line into the fashion scene.
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| kcee |
Kcee
Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo, aka Kcee, can be described as an artiste with nine lives because he refused to give up in spite of the challenges he faced as an artiste. The “Limpopo” star, who is currently enjoying the limelight, recently opened up on his business investment.
The name of the company is Five Star Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of his Five Star brand. The musician revealed that he plans to go into a lot, but is taking his time so he can take them one after the other.
‘‘You know, in the music business in Nigeria, no one can remain on top for ever. That is why one needs to be wise so as to make investments that will see one through when the hits are no more coming,” the artiste was quoted as saying.
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Dr Sid
While others are going into fashion, beauty, oil and gas and other related lines of business, Sidney Onoriode Esiri, known commonly as Dr Sid, took a totally different route a year ago when he ventured into his own chocolate cookie business called “Indulge”, a luxury chocolate cookie made with the finest Kenyan Cocoa powder, chocolate dough and Belgian chocolate. Indulge cookies costs as much as N3, 500 per pack.
The 33 year-old singer, songwriter and Dentist, is originally from Delta state, but was raised in Lagos.
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| AY |
AY
Ayo Makun is most definitely one of the wealthiest and most business oriented comedians around. He became popular by impersonating Rev. Chris Okotie in his jokes, and in 2006, was named the Best Up-Coming Comedian in Nigeria.
Eight years down the line, he has achieved so much in comedy and other businesses. Asides from his AY Show, he is also the CEO of Corporate World Entertainment, an outfit that focuses on packaging events and providing contents for radio and television.
His outfit powers AY Live, The AY Show and Open Mic Challenge, a monthly talent hunt programme that has produced the likes of Emeka Smith, MC Shakara, Elenu, and Seyi Law. AY has also ventured into writing, with a book titled AY’s Diary.
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kate henshaw
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Kate Henshaw
Kate Henshaw, one of Nollywood’s finest, is another very enterprising celebrity. The beautiful actress has tried her hands in different ventures, including running a company that dabbles into different business interests.
At the celebration of her 20 years on Stage last year, she presented a coffee table book titled “The World of an Actress: My Story”, amidst fanfare and encomiums. The memoir, which also doubles as a photo book, chronicles the actress’ humble beginning as a starlet, career highpoints, as well as her journey to fame.
Also in December 2013, the 43 year-old mother of one launched her fitness DVD, called Kate Fit For Life. The DVD is the first in the series of workout videos from Kate and is being marketed locally and internationally as she was said to have signed an international distribution deal with a US based Media Company.
She also makes money from endorsements, being a brand ambassador for Samsung Mobile and Samsung Electronics West Africa, as well as Onga seasoning.
She is said to currently own about three buildings and several landed properties scattered around Nigeria.
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club rumours
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Innocent Idibia
2 Baba, as he is fondly referred to, is not just about his wonderful songs. He also has a business side to him and is earning a lot of bucks from it. He has investment in real estate, stocks and other businesses.
Following the success of his first club in Ikeja, TuFace opened the doors of his second night club, known as “Rumours” in Festac Town, in December last year.
It was gathered that the African Queen crooner spent about N250 Million on the 1000 guest capacity club which opened its doors in the New Year to fun seekers.
On why he delved into the club business, Tuface said, “I am not only an artiste, I’m also an entrepreneur. I want to make the night club a model like Jay-z’s Club 40/40. I want to have my clubs in major cities in Nigeria, as well as in South Africa, Europe and the US,” he said
The African Queen crooner also has an NGO called 2 Face Idibia Reach Out Foundation, whose motto is “Service to Humanity.”
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| Banky-W-7 |
Banky W
Not one to be contented with his exploits in the music world, Bankole Wellington is also accomplished in several other fields. Both as a businessman and record executive, he has enjoyed tremendous success. Not only is he an R&B star, he is also on the board of trustees of the “LightupNigeria” Project, which is focused on achieving constant electric power supply in Nigeria, as well as various other charitable society building and empowerment projects.
In 2003, he released his first album, the Undeniable, on the platform of E.M.E Records, which he co-founded. The record label was home to popular artiste Wizkid and Skales for some years, before they parted ways. However, there are still some great musicians like Niyola, Shadee and DJ Exclusive on the label.
Being the creative mind behind the label, Banky has established EME and its talented artistes in the hearts and minds of millions of fans worldwide.
In 2012, Banky launched his acting career with a debut recurring role on the final season of MNET’s hit TV show “Jacob’s Cross”.
The R&B singer also happens to be the brand ambassador for Etisalat, one of Nigeria’s telecommunications giants, as well as Samsung mobile.
From BizWatchNigeria
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